Northern Israel (Ephraim) was wealthy because of her fertile valleys. She had become very proud, self-absorbed, and complacent. But Isaiah saw that the northern kingdom was like a fading flower. The LORD would soon send Assyria against her like a powerful and destructive hailstorm. Her fruits would be enjoyed by foreigners.

Judah was no better than Northern Israel. Her priests and prophets were drunkards (7). They mocked Isaiah's prophesies and warnings (9-10). Because the people of Judah rejected God's word, God would speak judgment to them through foreign captors (11-13). Judah's proud leaders scoffed at Isaiah and rather trusted their alliance with Egypt but Isaiah called it a covenant with death (15).

We are tempted to rely on wealth, other people, and ourselves. Depending on anything besides God will lead to fear (19). Nothing in this world can provide security (20). We must rely on the LORD's precious cornerstone, Jesus Christ (16; 1 Pe 2:4-6). In the same way that God instructs a farmer on how to plow his fields, sow his seed, and how to thresh different plants, so he provides his magnificent wisdom when we humbly depend on him. Who is the sure foundation of your life? On whom do you depend in both good and bad times?


Application: Lord Jesus, thank you for being our cornerstone and sure foundation of life!
One Word: Jesus, our sure foundation